Quantification of circulating alpha-1-antitrypsin polymers associated with different genotypes.

Objectives: Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in the gene encoding alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT), the major serine protease inhibitor in plasma. Reduced AAT levels are associated with elevated risk of developing emphysema mainly due to uncontrolled activity of neutrophil elastase in the lungs. The prevalent Z-AAT mutant and many rare pathogenic AAT variants also predispose to liver disease due to their accumulation as polymeric chains in hepatocytes.

Hunting for protective drugs at the break of a pandemic: Causal inference from hospital data.

At the break of a pandemic, the protective efficacy of therapeutic interventions needs rapid evaluation. An experimental approach to the problem will not always be appropriate. An alternative route are observational studies, whether based on regional health service data or hospital records.

A retrospective analysis of the hemolysis occurrence during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in a single center.

Introduction: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)-associated hemolysis still represents a serious complication. The present study aimed to investigate those predictive factors, such as flow rates, the use of anticoagulants, and circuit connected dialysis, that might play a pivotal role in hemolysis in adult patients.

Methods: This is a retrospective single-center case series of 35 consecutive adult patients undergoing veno-venous ECMO support at our center between April 2014 and February 2020.

Nasal Nitric Oxide and Nasal Cytology as Predictive Markers of Short-Term Sublingual Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy Efficacy in Children with Allergic Rhinitis.

Background: Few studies have been conducted on the short-term response to sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT).

Objective: The purpose of our experimental trial was to evaluate if two markers such as nasal nitric oxide (nNO) and nasal cytology could be useful to identify a precocious clinical efficacy of SLIT treatment.

Methods: We enrolled 34 children aged 6 to 14 years old with diagnosis of allergic rhinitis (AR) and documented sensitization towards house dust mites.

Advanced robotics as a support in healthcare organizational response: A COVID-19 pandemic case study.

The use of robotics is becoming widespread in healthcare. However, little is known about how robotics can affect the relationship with patients during an emergency or how it impacts clinicians in their organization and work. As a hospital responding to the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic "ASST dei Sette Laghi" (A7L) in Varese, Italy, had to react quickly to protect its staff from infection while coping with high budgetary pressure as prices of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) increased rapidly.

Validity of the Severity of Dependence Scale for detecting dependence behaviours in chronic migraine with medication overuse.

Aims: In this study, we tested the validity of the Severity of Dependence Scale in detecting dependence behaviours in patients with chronic migraine and medication overuse (CM + MO) using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) and the Leeds Dependence Questionnaire as gold standard measures.

Methods: Four hundred and fifty-four patients with CM + MO filled in the Severity of Dependence Scale and the Leeds Dependence Questionnaire and underwent a psychological evaluation for the diagnosis of substance dependence according to the DSM-IV criteria.

Results: Sixty-nine percent of subjects (n = 313) presented substance dependence according to the DSM-IV criteria.

Screening Youth Soccer Players by Means of Cognitive Function and Agility Testing.

Talent identification in sports is a heavily debated topic. Previous studies have separately explored either executive functions or gross motor skills to predict the success of top-level soccer players or, more generally, to characterize elite performance in soccer. However, at mid-childhood, the possibility to scope sport-specific requirements remains elusive.

High perceived isolation and reduced social support affect headache impact levels in migraine after the Covid-19 outbreak: A cross sectional survey on chronic and episodic patients.

Background: Psychosocial variables are key factors influencing psycho-physical equilibrium in migraine patients. Social isolation and vulnerability to stressors may prevent efficient psychological adjustment negatively affecting adaptation to life changes, as that imposed during Covid-19 lockdown. Here, we explored psychosocial dimensions and changes in clinical condition during Covid-19 lockdown in migraine patients, with regard to migraine type and headache impact.

A simple prognostic score for COVID-19 hospitalized patients developing deep vein thrombosis.

Objective: The aim of our study was to analyze the specificity, accuracy and sensitivity of a simple, easy to calculate, prognostic score for hospitalized COVID19 patients developing deep vein thrombosis.

Methods: From March 1st to April 28th, 942 COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms were admitted to the hospital San Matteo of Pavia-Italy. Thirty two patients (3.

Introduction of a specialized consultation prior to insertion of totally implantable access venous devices: Impact on cancellation rate and patient satisfaction.

Objectives: Preoperative consultation is usually not performed before insertion of a totally implantable venous access device (TIVAD). In our experience, an incomplete preoperative assessment, a predictable medical condition contraindicating surgery, or no-show patients the day of surgery led to several surgery cancellations. Therefore, we introduced a specific preoperative surgical consultation for TIVAD that took place shortly before surgery.

Parallel graft techniques for urgent complex aortic diseases: Mid-term results of 12 cases.

Objectives: Open repair is still the first choice for thoraco-abdominal and para-renal aortic aneurysms, but surgical treatment is burdened by significant morbidity and mortality, especially in urgent setting. Endovascular treatment by fenestrated or branched endografts is feasible and safe; but in urgent/emergent settings, custom-made endografts are hardly available in due time, and the repair with standard multibranched devices is still debated in cases with complex anatomy. Parallel grafting, on the other hand, which exploits covered stents to preserve patency of the visceral vessels, has been shown as a valuable option and can be performed in urgency, though some concerns still remain regarding its durability and complications.